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James Laurinaitis | Linebacker

Team: St. Louis Rams
Age / DOB:  (26) / 12/3/1986
Ht / Wt:  6'2' / 250
College: Ohio State
Contract: view contract details
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After sitting out Wednesday and Thursday, MLB James Laurinaitis (back) returned to practice Friday and is listed as probable for the Rams’ game against the Vikings on Sunday.
Laurinaitis said he injured his back when he recovered a fumble late in the first quarter last Sunday against Buffalo, "and a really heavy man landed on my back. I was so slow that the lineman got me." Laurinaitis will play, so owners in IDP leagues can breathe a sigh of relief. Sat, Dec 15, 2012 11:38:00 AM
Source: St Louis Post-Dispatch

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Date:
James Laurinaitis - LB - Rams

Rams signed MLB James Laurinaitis to a five-year, $41.5 million contract extension.

The deal includes $23.5 million guaranteed and runs through the 2017 season. Laurinaitis was entering the final year of his rookie deal and due just $620,000 in 2012. He has quietly become one of the better Mike linebackers in the league and locking him up along with LE Chris Long is a great start to the Les Snead tenure in St. Louis. Laurinaitis has yet to miss a game in his three-year career.
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 01:45:00 PM
James Laurinaitis - LB - Rams

The Rams are expected to complete a contract extension with MLB James Laurinaitis before the start of the season.

Laurinaitis is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is set to earn just $620,000. He's never missed a game in his three-year career, has made at least 114 tackles in every season and ranked third in the league in solo tackles (105) last season. Along with LE Chris Long, Laurinaitis is a building block for the Rams' defense.
Source: CBSsports.com
Thu, Aug 16, 2012 09:23:00 AM
James Laurinaitis - LB - Rams

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch confirms extension talks are "under way" between the Rams and MLB James Laurinaitis.

Beat writer Jim Thomas believes the sides are "probably" close to an agreement. Laurinaitis is currently due just $620,000 in the final year of his rookie deal. Laurinaitis has tallied at least 114 tackles every year since being the No. 35 overall pick of the 2009 draft. He'll play at 245 pounds this season after weighing in at 254 in 2011.
Source: St Louis Post-Dispatch
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 08:28:00 AM
James Laurinaitis - LB - Rams

In the wake of DE Chris Long's four-year extension, coach Jeff Fisher promises "more" deals to come.

The Rams website interprets Fisher's comments as "undoubtedly" referring to contract talks with MLB James Laurinaitis. One of the league's most underpaid players, Laurinaitis is due to earn just $620,000 in the final year of his rookie deal. A foundation player on defense, Laurinaitis has lost a few pounds to handle more deep coverage with the Rams mixing in more Cover 2 looks.
Source: StLouisRams.com
Sun, Jul 29, 2012 11:19:00 PM
James Laurinaitis - LB - Rams

According to Rams COO Kevin Demoff, St. Louis is "in the process of starting initial conversations" about long-term extensions with MLB James Laurinaitis and LE Chris Long.

Both players are in contract years. As ESPN's Mike Sando notes, Demoff's father, Marvin, is Long's agent. So we'd have to believe those talks will go smoothly. Laurinaitis is severely underpaid with a $620K salary in the last year of his rookie deal. Re-signing both players should be priorities for the Rams.
Related: Chris Long
Source: ESPN.com
Sat, Jun 9, 2012 01:59:00 PM
James Laurinaitis - LB - Rams

Rams coach Jeff Fisher expects MLB James Laurinaitis to benefit from the team's addition of first-round DT Michael Brockers.

Brockers is massive and long, and the Rams will count on him to tie up blockers so that Laurinaitis runs free. "He's what you want in a defensive tackle," said Fisher of Brockers. "Especially in our division with the downhill runs. One person I know that's smiling right now is James Laurinaitis." Laurinaitis could see a production bump if Brockers pans out as St. Louis envisions.
Related: Rams
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 01:26:00 PM
James Laurinaitis - LB - Rams

Rams MLB James Laurinaitis plans to organize workouts for the team's defense within the next few weeks.

He and LCB Ron Bartell will organize the workouts together. "It's just a matter of trying to get as many people around each other as possible," Laurinaitis said. With O.J. Atogwe no longer a Ram, Laurinaitis will be expected to take on even more of a leadership role in 2011. He looks up to the challenge.
Source: St Louis Post-Dispatch
Sat, Apr 16, 2011 09:53:00 AM
James Laurinaitis - LB - Rams

Scouts Inc.'s Matt Williamson calls MLB James Laurinaitis a "star in the making" and a "foundation" for the Rams' team.

"He is going to be headed to Pro Bowls as soon as this upcoming year," said Williamson. "He is really smart, he is an extension of coach Steve Spagnuolo on the field." Laurinaitis is already the quarterback of the Rams defense. GM Billy Devaney did well to stick with the every-down backer over Rey Maualuga in the 2009 draft.
Source: ESPN.com
Wed, Apr 13, 2011 02:10:00 PM
James Laurinaitis - LB - Rams

Rams MLB James Laurinaitis would consider moonlighting with Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Entertainment if the NFL lockout extends into the 2011 season.

"You don't want to mess around and get hurt," said Laurinaitis, adding that he'd be willing to try "a few run-downs here and there or something." Wrestling comes naturally to Laurinaitis whose father was recently elected into the WWE Hall of Fame as "Animal," one half of the dominant 1980s tag-team, "The Road Warriors."
Source: The Lantern
Tue, Apr 12, 2011 03:12:00 PM
James Laurinaitis - LB - Rams

Rams MLB James Laurinaitis has been bothered by a sprained knee lately.

You wouldn't know it from his play in Week 8, as Laurinaitis had eight tackles, a sack and an interception. The linebacker wasn't listed on the Week 8 injury report, so this isn't something to be worried about.
Source: St Louis Post-Dispatch
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 09:27:00 AM
James Laurinaitis - LB - Rams

Rams MLB James Laurinaitis is nursing a mild shoulder sprain.

Laurinaitis ranks 12th in the league in tackles to go with one sack and two interceptions. The rookie has been a bright spot and it doesn't sound like this injury is too serious, but IDPers need to check the practice reports.
Source: St Louis Post-Dispatch
Tue, Dec 1, 2009 12:45:00 PM
James Laurinaitis - LB - Rams

Rams MLB James Laurinaitis recorded 14 tackles (10 solo) to lead the team and recovered a fumble in his starting debut Sunday.

Laurinaitis has major IDP upside because teams are going to be running up the Rams' gut all season. FS O.J. Atogwe was next closest with eight tackles.
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 08:49:00 PM
James Laurinaitis - LB - Rams

Rookie James Laurinaitis is officially the Rams starting middle linebacker.

The second-round pick will also be making the defensive play calls, which is a lot to ask, but the Rams need someone to step up and take control of that defense. This means that Laurinaitis will likely be an every-down linebacker. He is the best rookie IDP option in the league now.
Source: ESPN.com
Thu, Aug 13, 2009 12:18:00 PM
James Laurinaitis - LB - Rams

Rookie James Laurinaitis worked as the Rams' first-team middle linebacker in Sunday morning's practice.

He's still behind Chris Draft on the unofficial depth chart, but it's inevitable that Laurinaitis will win out by Week 1. He's the best rookie IDP bet in the league.
Source: Associated Press
Sun, Aug 9, 2009 05:58:00 PM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Sam Bradford
2Austin Davis
3Kellen Clemens
4Tim Jenkins
RB1Isaiah Pead
2Zac Stacy
3Daryl Richardson
4Terrance Ganaway
5Chase Reynolds
GLB1Zac Stacy
2Isaiah Pead
3RB1Isaiah Pead
2Daryl Richardson
FB1Eric Stevens
WR11Tavon Austin
2Chris Givens
3Stedman Bailey
4Nicholas Johnson
WR21Austin Pettis
2Brian Quick
3Raymond Radway
4Emory Blake
5Andrew Helmick
WR31Chris Givens
TE1Jared Cook
2Lance Kendricks
3Mike McNeill
4Cory Harkey
5Zach Potter
K1Greg Zuerlein
2Brett Baer